Following the 2 Series Convertible sightings, we bring you the first ever look at the highly anticipated BMW 2 Series Coupe (F22). Why is it highly anticipated? Many BMW enthusiasts hope that it will hark back to the days of a smaller, lighter, nimbler BMW coupe - a role which the 3 Series Coupe (now 4 Series Coupe) seems to have abandoned. The hope is that the 2 Series Coupe will be the E46 3 Series Coupe, incarnate.

M235i COUPE

Not only do we see the standard 2 Series coupe (228i, 235i or other model) on the truck, but the M235i coupe appears front and center! The BMW M235i coupe is expected to be the very first model of the BMW M Performance cars lineup to come to the North American market. A convertible M235i is also rumored to be coming.

There's little doubt that the the middle model is the M235i as it features the telltale parts. It shares its wheels, M Sport brakes, and black double exhaust pipes from the M135i. This particular M235i even appears to be painted Estoril Blue II, the launch color for the M135i. A trunk spoiler lip can also be seen clearly, but the rear bumper design is still obscured with very heavy cladding (you can see the raised camouflage panels in the closeup images). Finally, we see for the first time, that the 2 Series xenon headlights will feature squared-off angel eyes / corona rings.

M235i PERFORMANCE

The M235i should essentially be a coupe version of the very well received M135i, powered by the same N55 engine configuration - a turbo 3.0L inline-six rated at 320 horsepower (6 cylinder sound confirmed by our photographer's ears at the scene), paired with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, but all-wheel drive may be offered in some markets.

For a preview of what to expect from the M235i, the M135i features 320hp (@5800rpm) / 332 lb-ft torque (@1250-5000rpm). It's quoted from 0-62mph (0-100kmh) at 5.1 / 4.9 seconds (manual/auto), but real life tests have already resulted in 0-60 in 4.49 seconds (from Chris Harris review).

The M235i coupe will not be a replacement for an expected future M2 coupe model (the successor to the E82 1M Coupe). Instead, it's a model which can be viewed as the successor to the current 135is coupe, to slot in between the standard 235i coupe and the M2.

The 2 Series models will be built on the same RWD platform as the current 1 Series hatchbacks (F20/F21) and is expected to spawn the following lineup:

I'm a little confused about the engine strategy between the M235i and upcoming M2. All reports so far have said 4-cyl M2. How are they going to differentiate that model enough to overcome the 320hp and torque advantage of the N55? Maxed out 4cyl turbo engines usually come in low 300hp from the factory(STi, EVO, etc.). There better be quite a bit of weight savings to justify stepping up to M2.

I'm a little confused about the engine strategy between the M235i and upcoming M2. All reports so far have said 4-cyl M2. How are they going to differentiate that model enough to overcome the 320hp and torque advantage of the N55? Maxed out 4cyl turbo engines usually come in low 300hp from the factory(STi, EVO, etc.). There better be quite a bit of weight savings to justify stepping up to M2.

M2 having 4 cyl turbo is just rumor still. I find it hard to believe since the m135i and m235i have 6 cyl. Even the article above states some doubt against a 4 cyl M2.